LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Jan. 21

Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed legislation that would have allowed concealed weapons in schools, presumably because it "became an almost incendiary topic after the killing of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Cook Elementary in Newtown, Conn."

How do laws against concealed weapons in schools improve school safety? They don't. Sandy Hook had such a restriction, and it didn't help prevent that tragedy.

Anyone who is not concerned about the law against murder is not going to be restricted by a law against weapons in schools. The law would only affect the law-abiding citizen who might otherwise have been able to react effectively.

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Actually, eliminating guns from schools would only increase the danger to students. When the criminal considers a home invasion, he knows that he runs the risk of encountering an armed homeowner. When he invades a gun-free school, he knows he has a free run until such time as the police get there. The shooter at Sandy Hook shot himself only after he heard the armed police arrive. Too bad there couldn't be an armed teacher or administrator there to cause him to die much sooner.